Trimming the hedge with the FEL

I have a 6 foot tall hedge that requires trimming several times a season. It is a pain to trim. I have used ladders, milk crates, etc. All of it still is tough.

Today I used my FEL to trim with. First I fastened an 8 foot 2x4 to the top edge of the bucket with a pair of C-clamps. You do not want the 2x4 to slip, so tighten it up well. Then I mounted my electric hedge trimmer to the last 12 inches of the 2x4 with a couple of large stainless hose clamps. I had to place a 3/4 inch spacer under the back of the trimmer to make it level with the 2x4. You can raise/lower and level the trimmer with the FEL control.

As my trimmer is an el-cheapo Black & Decker electric (one of my favorite tool makers) - my wife walked beside me making sure the lead kept out from under the tractor wheels. The result was the fastest and most level trim I have ever done - about 100 feet. Took about 1/2 hour - going forward and backward - cutting both ways (you must do this or you will have tails).

Kind of a lash up, but it sure did the job. If I had a small generator, I'd put it into the bucket also - then I'd be completely portable.

My next step is to make a more solid mounting system with a provision for side cuts (vertical). Probably mount with a single C-clamp and use one of the holes for my toothbar.

Re: Trimming the hedge with the FEL

The only thing that would have made this post better, other than starting with "I handed my beer to my friend and said watch this"....

Would have been PICS!!!

Be safe, the only real funny part of all of this would have been seeing your wife's expression when you said, "honey, I have an idea and need you to hold the 100' electrical cord while I am driving the tractor?"
.
.

Re: Trimming the hedge with the FEL

Wow! Exactly what I need for the multi-flora rose disaster on the neighboring farm's fence. So overgrown that the whole fence is falling into my yard from the wind blowing on it. They won't maintain it and killing it all off seemed too extreme but I wasn't going to go hand trim 300' of this stuff.

Thanks for the link. Kind of expensive for taking care of the neighbor's messy fenceline for them but I have plenty of other uses for it too.

Re: Trimming the hedge with the FEL

WE ALL LIKE PHOTOGRAPHS RIGHT??!!

Heres how I trim my 300ft hawthorn hedge, using a cheapo gas hedge trimmer. Works a treat. Wish I didnt have a concrete post n rail fence to lean in over, would have made things a bit simpler if i planted the hedge on the near side of the fence.....

I sure wish I had a loader.... would make height corrections a cinch.. work with what you got right?

In this pic you can see the nylon cord that's connected to the throttle trigger on the trimmer. It passes through a pulley on the ladder rack and over to the seat of the tractor. Full throttle control.

Re: Trimming the hedge with the FEL

That Samuri sure looks handy but a bit pricy. Anyone installed an inverter on their tractor? Could be used to power that home made "Samuri" instead of having the wife mind the extension cord! Also would be useful for other power tools beyond the reach of electrical connection and less expensive than a generator.